邱冠霖的部落格

decree (n.) /dɪˈkri/

a judgment made by a court of law;an official decision or order made by a leader or government.

Antigone disobeys the decree.

overriding (adj.) /ˌoʊvərˈraɪdɪŋ/

More important than anything else.

It is of overriding importance to finish the project this week.

tyrant (n.) /ˈtaɪrənt/

someone who rules a country in a cruel and unfair way.

He is not a mere tyrant.

tyrannical (adj.) /tɪˈrænɪk(ə)l/

Using power in a cruel and unfair way.

Antigone, as a hero of the resistance of tyrannicalpower.        

disown (v.) /dɪsˈoʊn/

To say that you no longer want to be connected with someone or something, for example because you are ashamed of them.

She harshly disowns her.

crucible  (v.)  [ˋkrusəb!] 

place or situation in which people or ideas are tested severely

The alliance has been forged in the crucible of war.

metaphor (n.)    /ˈmetəˌfɔr/

a word that means one thing and is used for referring to another thing in order to emphasize their similar qualities.

The analogical use of a metaphor.   

bombastic (adj.) /bɑmˈbæstɪk/

Using words that are intended to impress people but do not sound sincere or do not express things very clearly.

The candidate spoke in a bombastic way of all that he would do if elected.

dragnet (n.) /ˈdræɡˌnet/

a very thorough search by the police.

To search or sweep the bottom of(a body of water), as with a grappling hook or dragnet.

coil (v.) /kɔɪl/

To wind something long and thin into a shape like a series of rings.

I coil him round and round.

intricacy (n.)  [ˋɪntrəkəsɪ]

the state of containing a large number of parts or details

He was lost in the intricacies of a new electric motor.

exult (v.) /ɪɡˈzʌlt/

To feel or show great pleasure and excitement, especially about something that you have achieved.

Aegisthus exults to see Agamemnon’s body.

defiance (n.)  [dɪˋfaɪəns]

open refusal to obey somebody/something

Running away was an act of defiance against his parents.

prop (v.) /prɑp/

To hold something in position by putting something under or against it, or by leaning it against something else.

He propped his bicycle up against the fence.  

bonfire (n.) /ˈbɑnˌfaɪr/

A large fire built outside for burning waste. People also have bonfires at parties or celebrations.

The bonfire nearest to Argos.

grope (v.) /ɡroʊp/

to touch someone sexually in a rough way, especially someone who does not want to be touched.

I grope for the light switch in the dark room.

sentry (n.) /ˈsentri/

A soldier who stands at the entrance to a place and guards it.

No one was excluded from sentry duty.

godsend (n.) /ˈɡɑdˌsend/

Something that you are very grateful for because it helps you in a difficult situation.

Her gift of money was a godsend.

distraught (a.) [dɪˋstrɔt] 

so upset and worried that you cannot think clearly:

Relatives are tonight comforting the distraught parents.

manever  (v.) [məˋnuvɚ]

a movement performed with care and skill 

A careful driver will often stop talking before carrying out a complex

vulture (n.) /ˈvʌltʃər/

a large bird that eats the bodies of dead animals.

Like vulture robbed of their young.      

assimilate  (v.)  [əˋsɪm!͵et]

to fully understand an idea or some information so that you are able to use it yourself

It will take time to assimilate all these facts.

scud (v.) [skʌd]

if clouds scud across the sky, they move quickly

The boat scudded before the strong west wind

frenzied (adj.) /ˈfrenzid/

Done in an extremely uncontrolled way, often by someone who is crazy.

In a frenzy of hate he killed his enemy.

piercing (adj.) /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/

very loud, high, and unpleasant.

All of a sudden a piercing scream broke the silence.